Letters to the Editor: May 23

Const. Ben Hush and other London police traffic division officers were on a mission recently to remind drivers that pedestrians have the right of way at crossovers like this one on Colborne Street. Drivers must stop behind the stop line and wait for walkers to cross completely, or risk a $500 fine and three demerit points, police say. Pedestrians should be vigilant, make eye contact with drivers and not cross until traffic stops. (MIKE HENSEN, The London Free Press)

Look, point, look again

Regarding the photo Crossover campaign (May 8).

What happened to “point before you walk?” Police need to restart this safety directive for citizens of all ages. Pedestrians should stand about a metre back from the curb until vehicles stop or clear the intersection. If one car bumped into another and pushed it up over the sidewalk, there could be injuries to those standing too close.

So, police and media should repeat this slogan continually: “Look, point, look again, then cross if safe to do so.” Too many pedestrians never look sideways before they step off the sidewalk. They need to be more observant, careful and thoughtful, too.

C. Lawrie Cousins

London

Will Ford help families?

In January, our son Stephen was on the front page of The Free Press as part of the Special Olympics swimming team. Stephen is 20 and will be finishing high school in June. After high school the options are few because Stephen needs assistance to work and be active in the community.

The Ontario government has a program to assist people like Stephen, but he is stuck on a growing waiting list. From April to December last year the number of those receiving funding grew by 406 people, while the waiting list grew seven times faster.

The last provincial budget included $5,000 for everyone on the waiting list. However, Doug Ford’s refusal to say he will keep this funding in place raises a question: Will he help families in need or will he redirect the money to help fund corporate tax cuts?

Ford ignores real issues

Ontario is in an existential crisis. The debt is staggering; medical services and access to care for the elderly and poor are failing; our infrastructure is crumbling.

Yet with all these overwhelming issues to debate, Doug Ford is campaigning on a promise of beer in my corner store. Really?

In the midst of a debate about critical issues that will determine Ontario’s path for generations to come, Ford takes time to discuss the sale of six-packs? I have a suggestion for Ford: if he can’t or won’t speak up about the real issues in Ontario, maybe he should just shut up.

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